Peach tree named &#39;FLATOP&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, denominated ‘FLATOP’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous red skin, with an orange red background. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2011/0565 filed on Mar. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica L. Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘FLATOP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘FLATOP’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone or semi-clingstone white flesh fruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389), a white flat peach tree and to ‘ASFPBF0796’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/662,966), a white flat peach tree, and to its parents, ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree and ‘ASFPBF0492’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,143) white flat peach tree, for reliable description. ‘FLATOP’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘FLATOP’ white flat peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘FLATOP’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘ASFPBF0492’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,143) white flat peach tree, which was used as the pollen parent. ‘FLATOP’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 01.29E.42 PBPL ASF 0797 and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 23, 2010 under number 4047126. The ‘FLATOP’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (not patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree blooms at the end of February or early in March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 22^(th) and March 17^(th), generally 2 or 3 days earlier than ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) and together with ‘ASFPBF0796’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/662,966).

The first fruit of ‘FLATOP’ peach tree ripens at the end of July or early in August, generally about 1 week later than ‘ASFPBF0796’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser No. 12/662,966) and about 3 weeks later than ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389). More particularly, ‘FLATOP’ variety approximately ripens between July 19^(th) and August 15^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows two whole fruits and leaves of the new variety, and a three fruits, cut in half, with the stone left in two of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows different views of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘FLATOP’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or during March. The type of flower is showy with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is considered white, or cream white, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around this cavity. The fruit skin is very thick and colored with a luminous red blush on a red orange background. The stone is small to medium size. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘Flatpretty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,389) peach tree, ‘FLATOP’ variety blooms broadly 2 or 3 days earlier but ripens approximately 3 weeks later than ‘Flatpretty’, as set forth above. ‘FLATOP’ variety produces fruits having a better presentation than ‘Flatpretty’ fruits, round and regular shaped, and with more intense skin coloration. Also, ‘FLATOP’ variety shows a closed pistil cavity compared to ‘Flatpretty’.

Compared to ‘ASFPBF0796’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/662,966) white flat peach tree, ‘FLATOP’ variety blooms approximately at the same time with ‘ASFPBF0796’, but ripens approximately 1 week later.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘Nectarmagie (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579), produces white nectarines. ‘Nectarmagie’ has approximately the same time of blooming with ‘FLATOP’ and ripens early in July. It was chosen as a genitor because of its high level of productivity and its very attractive fruits presentation, round-shaped and firm. Moreover, ‘Nectarmagie’ fruits are homogenous in size and have a semi sweet and very aromatic taste, with a high level of sugar. ‘Nectarmagie’ fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

The new variety male parent, which is the ‘ASFPBF0492’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,143), produces, at the end of July, white flat peaches with a good presentation, homogeneous in size. ‘ASFPBF0492’ fruits show an attractive coloration, pink red on a pink cream background, and their flesh is firm with a semi-sweet, very aromatic flavour, with a high level of sugar. Said flesh is very tasty when eaten crunchy or melting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (not patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm with current             season shoots length comprised. The tree size is             consistently reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety. A reduce             vegetation, obtained with pruning or green pruning,             approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before harvesting the             flat fruits, significantly promotes fruit qualities,             especially growth, color and firmness. Moreover,             contamination risks due to monilia or rot are significantly             reduced. ‘FLATOP’ variety is not much sensitive to cracking             of pistil cavity, to cork formation into peduncle cavity or             to monilia.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 or more             was necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was             necessary every year during the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘FLATOP’ variety has a naturally semi-spread to             semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. Experimentations on different sites with winter             chilling requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200             hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases.             Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to low             temperatures and climatic variations, because of the flower             morphology in which the ovule is less protected. Thus, areas             not much exposed to frost are recommended for flat peach             trees growth. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 7.5 cm and 9.0 cm in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20 cm             above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present, generally between             4 and 5 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from             approximately 3.0 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters in width,             and from 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered             brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B to C).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey             201 A to B or RHS N200 B to C), slightly deeper than             lenticel color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 20.0             to 30.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 70             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Generally 20.0 millimeters to 30.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A             to B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper             part is colored brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B)             to red-brow (RHS Greyed Red 182 A), depending both depending             both on the position on shoots and the sunlight exposure. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. The ratio             leaf length/leaf width is 3.77.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 148.0 to 180.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole. The medium length is 163.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 39.0 to 50.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 43.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137             A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Green 137 B to C)             than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream yellow (RHS             Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — Between             10.0 and 14.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green, almost             yellow (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to C). Lower surface. — Light             green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green 144 D).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium, approximately 2.0             millimeters. Number. — Generally between 2 and 4 glands per             leaf. Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf             glands color is considered a light green (RHS Green 145 B).             On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown             (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).         -   Leaf stipules: Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0             millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent             upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of             development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the             sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to             B or Grey Brown 199 A); the corolla, formed by the petals,             is generally of medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B or 69             C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of             flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally at the end of February or early in             March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 5, 2003.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative             comparison to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed on March, at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom             was observed on Mar. 5, 2003. Last observed blooming times             were Feb. 22, 2008, then Mar. 3, 2009, then Mar. 17, 2010,             then Feb. 25, 2011.         -   Duration of bloom.—Between 9 and 12 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at             full bloom is approximately 36.0 to 43.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 45             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large for the             species. Length. — Generally about 22.0 millimeters. Width.             — Generally about 20.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and sweet.         -   Petal color.—Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to C) and             slightly darker at the end of flowering.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a             truncated form. Length. — Approximately 1.5 to 1.6             millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.1 to 1.3 millimeters.             Color. — A darker pink than the petal color.         -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally wide             dome-shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to long and             having an average length of approximately 3.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 1.5             millimeters. Color. — A brown to light brown (RHS Grey Brown             N 199 C to D).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is green yellow (RHS             Yellow 13 A to B or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B). The outer             surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A to D) color.         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,             fine pubescent texture. Size. — Average. Length. —             Approximately 6.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0             millimeters. Form. — Ovate. Color. — Matt Red (RHS Greyed             Purple 183 A to B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 45             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. — Red to             orange-yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to B). The color             becomes brown (RHS Greyed Red 178 A) after time maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C) which may evolve with             maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 11.0 and 18.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally longer             than pistil's length. Color. — Considered light pink             (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C to D or RHS Red Purple 73             A to B). The color evolves during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters including             the ovary; Generally equal to filaments length, if not             slightly smaller, to filaments in length. Color. —             Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D or RHS             Yellow Green 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming.             Surface texture. — Pubescent. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 3, 2003.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘FLATOP variety             has a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 9 to             11 days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs.             Last known picking times begin Jul. 22, 2007; then Jul. 22,             2008; then Aug. 6, 2009; then Aug. 15, 2010; then Jul. 19,             2011.         -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 76.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 37.0 to 45.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally between 120.0 and 180.0 grams.             This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Oblate and round to slightly             cardioid, with few bump. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending             from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a color similar to             the whole fruit color. The suture is colored with a luminous             red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B) on an orange red             background (RHS Orange Group 27 C to D).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth and round.         -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 8.0             to 10.0 millimeters. Average width is about 12.0 to 18.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,             and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong. Texture. —             Smooth. Taste. — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of             sugars. Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous red             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B) covering 75 to 90% of the             skin, with an orange red background (RHS Orange Group 27 C             to D). The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface             can vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing             conditions under which the fruit was grown. Ground color. —             The ground color covers 10 to 25% of the fruit skin surface,             and is considered orange red (RHS Orange Group 27 C to D).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 5.0 to 6.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, homogenously, slowly. Texture.             — Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at harvest             maturity stage. Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced.             Eating quality. — Considered very good, with a high level of             sugars. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and aromatic. The             Brix is generally superior to 13 and acidity comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Very juicy at complete             maturity. Brix. — Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions. Flesh color. — White flesh (RHS White             155 C to D) generally with a slightly red pigmentation (RHS             Red 53 B to C) into the stone cavity and slightly around the             stone cavity. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone to semi-clingstone depending on the fruit             maturity.         -   Size.—Considered small to medium for the variety. The stone             size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,             crop load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 12.0 to 13.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Oblate, semi-round.         -   Base.—Generally straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is oblate, with a slight edge.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium to small size,             oblate-shaped, and its dimensions corresponding to the             stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are shallow with a             dorsal groove and a triple ventral groove. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and less prominent ridges at             the apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B or RHS             Greyed Orange 176 B to C) with edges considered orange brown             (RHS Greyed Orange 174 B to C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very weak,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel size is considered small. Length.             — Approximately 7.0 millimeters Width. — Approximately 7.0             millimeters Form. — Considered elliptic and oblate,             sometimes double. Pellicle. — Very slightly Pubescent.             Color. — The kernel skin is an orange brown (RHS Greyed             Orange N 164 A to B or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B). The almond,             which is the seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS Orange             White 155 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the             time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATOP is considered to be a white             flat peach tree with a medium or late season maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             and luminously colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and             are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting             and juicy when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent             gustative qualities. In particular, ‘FLATOP’ fruits are very             easy to eat, with their doughnut shape, notably for             children. Moreover, the non pointed stone shape is             reassuring, especially for parents, and thus, there is no             need to cut the fruit before eating. Due to their flesh             quality and firmness, they can also be commercialized as             4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for             example). And they are also useful for both local and very             long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 3 weeks at 2.0             degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit at least 3             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous red skin, with an orange red background. 